I'm on a crusade to improve the reputation of the much maligned possum, or o'possum if you prefer. Last year, the neighborhood newsletter I edit published an article trying to educate neighbors about the good things possums do for us -even if they are largely misunderstood, in part because of their somewhat unfortunate appearance.
I'll admit, they are harder to fall in love with than dolphins, kittens, puppies and other naturally cute, charming animals. But I also appreciate bats and bees, that not everyone loves either. I actually think they are cute in their own way - in a "get the fuck away from me, I'm just trying to eat my ration of ticks and roadkill today!" kind of way. They try to look vicious, but really, they just want to be left alone - they are misanthropes like me.
So I've done some drawings lately, mostly just for fun, but then I started thinking it would be nice to make a cute drawing that might help people be more open to liking possums and giving them a chance.
I know this will never work with the most hardened, heartless among us - like my own aunt! She swears they are disease carriers and will spit on you to make you sick, but never fear - this is NOT true! In fact, they are rabies resistant, if not immune and they help stop the spread of Lyme disease by eating shitloads of ticks. I don't know about you, but I do like appreciate ticks AT ALL. They are the worst.
So anyway, I just wanted to post my musings and see if anyone thinks any of these are even close to being cute. My husband said there's one that looks like an alligator with a sheep's body and a snake tail...whatever! One looks like it has the Hapsburg chin - perspective is hard!
Let me know what you think - even if you think they are all irredeemably hideous. That's ok, too!
Cheers!
